Inside the Phillies with MLB.com beat writer Todd Zolecki

Phils Sign Lopez To Minor League Deal

The Phillies scouted Lopez recently, and apparently liked what they saw. He is expected to join the Phillies’ minor-league camp after he finishes pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Lopez has not pitched in the majors since 2007 with the Colorado Rockies. He had Tommy John surgery in Aug. 2007, and spent most of 2008 recovering. The Atlanta Braves signed him to a minor-league deal toward the end of last season, but the Braves did not exercise the option they had on him.

Lopez is expected to open the season in the rotation for triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Wouldn’t the money spent on him be better spent on Will Ohman or Joe Beimel for the BP. It seems like we already have enough 5th SP type guys and we could really use help in the BP still with JC being out for 50 games.

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